MLB Home Run Derby 2025 live updates: Cal Raleigh, Junior Caminero advance to final

New York Times

15-07-2025

Follow live as eight MLB sluggers launch homers in Atlanta Getty Images
ESPN chose a good time to have Chris Sale on set for an impromptu interview. It allowed the broadcast to focus more on Sale chopping it up with a crew that includes ex-White Sox teammate Todd Frazier instead of Jazz Chisholm's round, which ends at just three home runs. The bonus round is coming up next, but barring a miracle, Chisholm is done. Getty Images
To my colleagues' point, Jazz Chisholm has just one home run in his first 18 swings with 1:20 left. The obligatory brutal Home Run Derby round has arrived.
The Derby announcer is telling fans not to count out Jazz but unless he goes ham in the next 1:25, he's as good as gone. Getty Images
There's always gotta be one Derby round that makes you wish you could fast-forward through it, for the guy's sake. Jazz Chisholm Jr. is having that round.
It's a family affair at the Home Run Derby as Jazz Chisholm Jr. is having his step-father pitch to him. Cal Raleigh has assembled a team with his father and brother pitching and catching, respectively. Elsewhere, Byron Buxton's designated Gatorade givers were his sons.
I know the rules have changed a lot, but whatever happened to guys coming out and doing terrible in the Home Run Derby? Chipper Jones hitting only two homers in 2000 scarred me as a child. And that was actually better than when he hit only one homer in 1998. Troy Glaus, Bret Boone, Jason Bay and Brandon Inge are among players who didn't hit a single home run in their appearances.
It's a crime that Chisholm's walkup isn't All That Jazz.
No one appreciates a musical anymore.
Really good move for MLB media to have a former player (and a slugger) like Ryan Howard handle the post-round interviews for Derby contestants. Even though we can't hear what he's saying on ESPN, players seem thrilled to see him.
The Yankees third (and now second) baseman is up — Brent Rooker's 17 home runs is the mark he needs to reach for a chance at the next round. Oneil Cruz: 21 Junior Caminero: 21 Byron Buxton: 20 Brent Rooker: 17 James Wood: 16
Ties are broken by which player hit the longest home run.
Buxton had seven home runs when two of his sons came up to him with a towel and Gatorade during his timeout. He added seven before the bonus round, then hit six more to finish with 20. Getty Images
Four straight home runs before the first out of the bonus round for Byron Buxton! That eliminates James Wood, a tough outcome for the Nationals youngster after he got this Derby started in style. But Buxton has gotten the crowd on his side as he gets more comfortable.
Byron Buxton is making the most of his homecoming to Georgia, making things look effortless from the batter's box.
With Byron Buxton's 17th home run, James Wood is eliminated. Tough to be the first guy to go. The power has shown up.
Buxton finishes his first round (pre-bonus round) with 14 home runs. He needs three more to pass James Wood and avoid elimination... Getty Images
His home runs are true skyscrapers, but he calls timeout with 1:18 left — and only seven homers hit so far.
Seventy-five homers hit by four players thus far, totaling a distance of 6.2 miles. Or, an everyday jog for…someone (not me) here, I'm sure.